09-11-22 Triggered: Anger

Be ready with a printed copy of the Wheel of Emotions to hand out to your group or have them download it themselves.

ICEBREAKER
Describe one of your biggest pet peeves.
Well, we’re discussing a new teaching series from Pastor Jim called Triggered and during this series, we’ll be exploring various emotions that are easily triggered in us, how they can lead to sin, the commands Jesus gives us about those emotions, and how to manage them.

REVIEW & DISCUSS

1. What are some of your anger triggers? Name some things that happen, things people do, or things people say that trigger an emotion in you that feels like anger.
2. Read or Review Matthew 5:21-26.
   1. In what ways can expressing anger toward someone be just as bad as murder? How can anger hurt others?
   2. Notice the phrase ‘Raca’ which means “empty headed’ and ‘you fool.’ Do you ever catch yourself using similar phrases or worse?
   3. What do verses 23-24 say about God’s priorities?
   4. In verse 25, the phrase “settle matters quickly” is a little more like “be favorable quickly” or “be agreeable quickly.” Have you ever had to compromise and become agreeable with something you originally didn’t?
3. Read or Review 1 Samuel 18:6-9. Notice how Saul was “angry” but, as the NLT and other translations say, “he kept a jealous eye” on David. The initial expression was anger but the real emotion was jealousy.

TAKEAWAY

1. Download and look at the Wheel of Emotions. Maybe print and hand it out to your group. Many people express anger when their real emotion might actually be found under Bad, Fearful, Angry, Disgust, or perhaps even Sad.
2. Catch It - When you start experiencing an emotion that feels like anger, what are some practical ways you can “Catch it.”
3. Name It - What’s an emotion you’ve felt that you thought was anger? “Name it” now. Can you share a story?
4. Train It - What are some simple things you can do or remind yourself of to train your body to manage your emotions better?
   1. Pause, deep breaths, take a walk or a break (some research shows that our bodies need 20 minutes, not 5, to calm down from anger)
   2. Replace the lie with the truth, etc.​
5. Read Psalm 4:4-5. The "sacrifices of the righteous" IS "trusting the Lord."
   1. How is trusting the Lord a sacrifice?
   2. With what specific emotion (Name It) do you need to trust the Lord?

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PRAYER
First, take some time to ask people to identify prayer needs related to the discussion about anger. Second, take some time to ask for additional prayer requests. Then close your time together in prayer.